L.A. County workers plan strike on Oct. 10 over contract issues
- SEIU 721 represents over 55,000 Los Angeles County workers who are prepared to strike due to contract disputes.
- Union leaders claim the county has failed to implement key provisions from their 2022 agreement, leading to widespread discontent.
- A potential strike on October 10 could severely impact essential county services, highlighting the ongoing labor-management tensions.
More than 55,000 workers in Los Angeles County, represented by SEIU 721, are poised to strike on October 10 due to grievances over the county's alleged failure to adhere to their labor contract. Union President David Green highlighted the discontent among members, citing a 99% authorization vote for a potential strike. The union claims that the county has not implemented key provisions from their 2022 agreement, which is set to expire in March 2025. Workers from various sectors, including hospitals and social services, gathered to express their frustrations, accusing the county of neglecting their rights and using deceptive tactics to delay contract implementation. The union has filed over 20 unfair labor practice charges, alleging issues such as inaccurate public documents regarding employee benefits and retaliation against union activities. County officials have expressed disappointment over the union's rhetoric, asserting that they have been engaged in productive negotiations and have provided competitive wages and benefits. They also indicated that they are exploring measures to mitigate the impact of a potential strike on essential services. The looming strike could significantly disrupt county operations, as SEIU 721 represents a substantial portion of the workforce in critical departments. The situation underscores the ongoing tensions between labor and management in the county, with both sides preparing for further negotiations in the coming weeks.